The House of Este

Princely family of Lombard origin that played a great part in the history of medieval and Renaissance Italy. It first came to the front in the wars between the Guelfs and Ghibellines during the 13th century. As leaders of the Guelfs, Estensi princes received at different times Ferrara, Modena, Reggio, and other fiefs and territories. Members of the family ruled in Ferrara from the 13th through 16th century and in Modena and Reggio from the later Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century.

The Estensi were a branch of the great 10th-century dynasty of the Obertenghi, which held power and wealth in Lunigiana, Genoa, and Milan and which also gave rise to the feudal houses of the Malaspina, the Pallavicini, and the margraves of Massa and Parodi. Subsequently, after various vicissitudes, the members of the Obertenghi dynasty removed to the lands of the Venetians, where they had estates at Este, Monselice, Rovigo, and Friuli. The Estensi took their name from the township and castle of Este, 27 kilometres southwest of Padua, and the true founder of the family was the margrave Alberto Azzo II (died 1097). From his son Welf IV, duke of Bavaria, there began a related branch that gave origin to the dukes of Bavaria, Brunswick, and Lüneburg, as well as the electors of Hanover. .... more

LUCREZIA BORGIA, INFAMOUS MURDERESS OR POLITICAL PAWN?

Castello Estense, the four-towered moated castle of the Este family in Ferrara.

• A1 -- Alberto;
  • B1 -- Oberto Obizzo, Conte di Luni, lvd:951/962;
    • C1 -- Oberto, Conte di Luni, lvd:975/1013, m. Railende, daughter of Conte Riprando;
      • D1 -- Alberto Azzo I, Conte di Luni, d:1029;
        • E1 -- Alberto Azzo II, Marchese d'Este, b:997, m1. Kunigunde von Altdorf, m2. Gersende du Maine;
          • F1 -- [m1]: Duke Welf IV of Bavaria, d:1120, m. Judit of Flanders;  ==>  House of Welf
          • F2 -- [m2]: Duke Folco I d'Este, d:1128;
            • G1 -- Obizzo I d'Este, Signore di Ferrara, d:1198;
              • H1 -- Azzo V d'Este, d:1193;
                <=========
  • I1 -- Azzo VI d'Este, Marchese di Ancona, d:1170/1212, m1. Countess of Aldebrandino, m2. Alix de Chatillon;  ==>  Comte de Chatillon
    • J1 .. [m1]: Aldebrandino d'Este, d:1215;
      • K1 .. Beatrice d'Este, lvd:1215/1245, m. King András II of Hungary;
    • J2 -- [m2]: Azzo VII d'Este, Signore di Ferrara, d:11264, m. Giovanna;
      • K1 -- Rinaldo I d'Este, d:1251;
        • L1 -- Obizzo II d'Este, Marchese d’Este, Signore di Ferrara, d:1293, m. Giacomina Fieschi;
          • M1 -- Aldobrabdino II d'Este, Signore di Modena, lvd:1289/1326, m. Alda Rangoni;
            • N1 -- Obizzo III d'Este, Signore di Ferrara, lvd:1294/1352;
              • O1 -- Alberto I d'Este, Signore di Ferrara, lvd:1347/1393, p. Isotta Albaresani;
                • P1 -- Niccolo III d'Este, lvd:1383/1441, m1. Ricciarde di Saluzzo, p1. Philippa della Tavola lvd:1425/1456;
                  • Q1 . [m1]: Ercole d'Este, Duca di Ferrara, lvd:1476/1534, m. Eleonore of Naples;
                    • R1 . Alfonso d'Este, Signore di Ferrara, lvd:1347/1393, m. Lucrezia Borgia;
                  • Q2 -- [p1]: Isotta d'Este, lvd:1425/1456, m. István Frangepán;  <==  Frangepán family